Car reviews: Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible

Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible

Let the Son Shine

When Volkswagen shown pictures and introduced the New Beetle back in 1998, everyone exclaimed how cute it was; smiling at it, fawning over it and plunking down money over sticker price to show the world how hip it was to be adorable. The New VW Beetle had a good run with little competition until Mini launched its Cooper in 2002. Suddenly, the four-year-old New VW Beetle began looking like the Teen Beetle next to the young Cooper, and an awkward teenager persona isn't going to give the New Volkswagen Beetle much additional shelf life.

During the last few years, Volkswagen has launched some new variations in stages, adding the 1.8T and Turbo S models to the original 2.0-liter and TDI offerings. But ever since the New Beetle's debut, the public has been clamoring for a convertible model; and for 2003, Volkswagen has helped Beetle lovers realize their dream.

New VW Beetle GLS model equipped with the base 2.0-liter four. The 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, also used in the base GL convertible, has not changed significantly since the early '90s, and the moderate '03 updates are convertible benefits only, and won't be seen on the 2.0-liter hatchback. Slight modifications include balance shafts and a two-stage intake to allow a broader power spread, but the engine still offers just 115 horsepower. While most automotive editors have perfected the chant of "more power," after canvassing our editorial staff, we realized that just about everyone agreed that the 2.0-liter engine produced adequate power for cruising around in the convertible, and less time was spent dreaming of the mid-model-year offering of the faster 1.8T version. We posted a 0-to-60 time of 11.9 seconds, hardly a performance car score, but then cruising is what this car does best.

Two transmissions are available with the New Beetle convertible's front-wheel drivetrain: a standard five-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic with automanual functionality - a fuel-efficient option not typically found in a $23,000 vehicle.

The New VW Beetle convertible was comfortable during the 200-mile round-trip, and felt poised at late-morning freeway speeds. Again, we found ourselves thinking that the 2.0-liter engine had enough zip to take an entrance ramp into fast-paced traffic, as long as shifts were appropriately timed from initial takeoff.

Certainly this European honey isn't regarded as a performance car, but we feel obligated to note a couple of items from our performance testing. At the track, the convertible ran our 60-foot slalom course at 58.5 miles per hour with minimal body roll, but our test-driver noted it was essential to carry all necessary speed into the beginning of the slalom, as the 2.0-liter engine was short on torque. With four-wheel disc brakes teamed with an antilock braking system (ABS), our New Beetle demonstrated respectable 60-to-0 braking distances with excellent pedal feel - our best was 124.3 feet.

Another excursion accounting for more ticks on the odometer was a leisurely cruise down Pacific Coast Highway on a Sunday afternoon milkshake mission. For this outing, we dropped the top. It was surprisingly simple after taking a quick glance at the owner's manual directions. We released and twisted the handle in the center of the top along the windshield, then held the center console button down as the semipower-operated cloth top with a defoggable glass rear window folded itself back and out of the way in 13 seconds. (The power top comes on GLS and GLX versions, while the base-level GL gets a manual top only.) After clipping the easy-to-install boot into place in an effort to stave off dust, dirt and, let's be honest here, beach sand, we were underway.

Hitting the 45-mph highway, the car felt tight and well-balanced, even with the roof at its back. The New Volkswagen Beetle convertible has greater torsional stiffness than the old VW Cabrio, and pop-up rollover supports that work with the rear headrests are ready to spring into life in the event of a rollover crash. Top quality is impressive. Three layers covered with a cloth lining make this convertible top look expensive with its high-quality, substantial feel unlike flimsy canvas, and its thickness keeps out both road and rain noise. As we continued southbound, even the chatty hat-and-sunglass-wearing two-year-old in the backseat was stunned into silence by the enjoyable experience, and never complained once about the wind in her face. (Either she's a very tolerant Terrible Two or rear-seat crosswinds were at a minimum - most likely the latter.) The driver and front passenger were able to carry on an amiable conversation without competing against the wind's volume.

The interior was swathed in easy-to-clean black leatherette vinyl; leather seating is an optional upgrade. The front seats are comfortably firm, and are fully reclining and height adjustable. Car had the optional cold weather package, which gave dial-controlled heated seats, as well as heated windshield wiper washer nozzles. Front legroom is ample as long as you keep the front seats in the far-back position. Rear legroom isn't as generous, but getting in and out of the rear seats was a cinch thanks to front seats that tumble forward, providing plenty of space for climbing in and out of the back.

Because of the New Beetle's shape, the windshield seems unusually far from the driver, and the dash exceptionally deep. Instrument panel gauges are easy to read yet funky, due to their red and purplish-blue illumination. The center console is lockable, so there's no need to be concerned about CDs or the console's other contents while leaving the top dropped and the vehicle unattended.

Other standard convenience features include a tilt-and-telescoping steering column and front windows with an automatic one-touch up/down feature (operable from the driver side only). Not only would we like to see the one-touch feature for the rear windows as well, we'd also like an additional all-four-windows up/down button - a real benefit after you've just lowered the top.

If you've survived the Beetle craze thus far, and you haven't been sidetracked down the Mini Cooper's recent retro lane, then this convertible version could be the New Beetle you've been waiting for. After six years in production, Beetle mania has assuredly just about run its course. The convertible may be your last chance to purchase a New Beetle new. Soon, you may have to settle for being a Used New Beetle owner.